Mama's Gulya's Soup
Gulyás soup is one of Hungary’s most iconic dishes — hearty, comforting, and full of tradition. Every Hungarian family has their own unique version, each with a little twist passed down through generations. This one is Mama’s, rich with flavour and love, and always a favourite around the family table. No matter how many times it’s made, there’s nothing quite like the taste of Mama’s Gulyás.
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1½–2 hours
Ingredients
1 kilogram beef chuck steak, cubed
4 carrots
1 white parsnip
4 medium potatoes
1 green capsicum (bell pepper)
1 large onion
1 tablespoon Hungarian red paprika powder
1 dessertspoon chilli paste (adjust to taste)
Salt and water
Oil, for sautéing
Egg and plain flour for homemade noodles (csipetke)
Instructions
Prepare the base
Chop the onion and cook slowly in a little oil until lightly browned.
Cut the beef into small cubes, add to the onion, and brown evenly while stirring.Add the seasoning
Stir in 1 tablespoon paprika powder, 1 dessertspoon chilli paste, salt, and the chopped green capsicum.
Mix well and cover the meat with enough water to just overlap it.
Simmer gently, covered, until the beef begins to soften (about 40–50 minutes).Add the vegetables
Peel and cut the carrots, parsnip, and potatoes (cut potatoes and parsnips into long strips).
Add them to the soup along with at least 3–4 cups of water.
Mix well, taste for salt, and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender.Prepare the noodles (Csipetke)
In a small bowl, combine 1 egg, a pinch of salt, and enough plain flour to make a firm dough.
Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into tiny balls or tear them into rough bits.
Drop the noodles into the gently boiling soup and cook until they float and are cooked through.
To Serve
Serve hot with fresh bread and a sprinkle of extra paprika on top if desired.
This is a true Hungarian comfort soup — warming, rich, and made with love just the way Mama always did.
